Trump Warns Iran's Supreme Leader: 'You Should Be Very Worried'
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that he should be 'very worried' as tensions between the two nations escalate. This comes amidst preparations for the first formal negotiations since the US bombed Iran's nuclear program last year. The recent deadly crackdown by Iranian security forces on nationwide anti-government protesters has further heightened tensions, with Trump sending a US military 'armada' to the region and threatening to launch strikes.
Iran's military has responded by warning that any US attack would be met with an immediate and decisive response, including strikes on US forces and assets in the region. In an interview with NBC News, Trump emphasized his stance, saying, 'I would say he (Ayatollah Khamenei) should be very worried. Yeah, he should be.'
Trump's actions have been seen as supporting the demonstrators, even though he has not taken direct military action. The high-stakes talks, scheduled for Friday in Muscat, Oman, will involve Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. However, both sides appear to have different agendas.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the Trump administration wants negotiations to focus on Iran's nuclear program, the range of their ballistic missiles, their sponsorship of terrorist organizations, and the treatment of their own people. In contrast, Iran's foreign ministry has stated that negotiations will be limited to Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, which they consider their primary demand.
The history of negotiations between Iran and the US is complex. Several rounds of indirect nuclear talks were held in April and May 2025, but a surprise Israeli strike on Iran in mid-June led to the cancellation of further talks, followed by a US strike that effectively ended the process. Trump argued that without the removal of Iran's nuclear capabilities, there would be no peace in the Middle East, as Arab countries were once very afraid of Iran.
Additionally, Trump revealed that Iran had attempted to revive its nuclear program at alternative sites, but was unsuccessful in reaching one of the sites. He threatened to take 'bad things' against them if they attempted to start a new site. As tensions rise, neighboring countries are mediating between the two sides to prevent a war, recognizing the potential for widespread conflict and instability in the Middle East.
Recently, a US aircraft carrier shot down an Iranian drone that 'aggressively approached' the ship in the Arabian Sea, according to the US military. Hours later, two Iranian gunboats threatened to board and seize a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's threats of military action came amidst mass anti-government protests in Iran, with a nearly three-week nationwide internet blackout, during which Iranians shouted slogans against the ruling theocratic regime. While internet connectivity has been partially restored, experts warn that the outlook for Iranian internet access remains bleak.
